Lenticular container and method of making

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a lenticular display article, such as a container, and a method of making the article. The article includes a lenticular sidewall, which defines a cavity having a top end, and a bottom end, the sidewall having a seam; and an optional base attached to the bottom end of the sidewall. The method of making the article can includes forming a frustoconical sidewall having a seam joining the opposite ends and optionally affixing a base to the bottom end of a lenticular sidewall. Alternatively, the bottom end of the sidewall may be sealed to itself to form a baseless tube.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/409,284filed Apr. 20, 2006, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/673,258 filed Apr. 20, 2005, each of which is herebyfully incorporated herein by reference.

U.S. Ser. No. 09/566,063, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,153,555, issued Dec. 26,2006, to Raymond, assigned to Taylor Corporation, and entitled “PLASTICOBJECTS HAVING BONDED LENTICULAR LENS SHEETS”; U.S. Ser. No. 10/406,614,U.S. Patent Publication 20030219574, published Nov. 27, 2003, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,900,944, issued May 31, 2005, to Tomczyk, assigned to TaylorCorporation, and entitled “LENTICULAR CARD AND PROCESSES FOR MAKING”;U.S. Ser. No. 10/850,470, U.S. Patent Publication 20040263885, publishedDec. 30, 2004, to Tomczyk, assigned to Taylor Corporation, nowabandoned, and entitled “INTERLACING METHODS FOR LENTICULAR IMAGES”; andU.S. Ser. No. 10/472,054, to McCannel et al., published May 20, 2004, asU.S. Patent Publication 20040095648, assigned to Travel Tags, Inc., andentitled “LENTICULAR SLEEVES.”

FIELD

The present invention relates to frustoconical, lenticular containersand methods of making the same.

BACKGROUND

Lenticular lenses are well known for use in optical systems to producevarious types of unique optical effects. The known lenticular lenssystems generally include a transparent sheet having a plane surface onone side thereof and on the other side, a series of parallellongitudinal ridges which can have near-parabolic or circular smoothsurfaces creating a multi-lenticular system of convex lenses. An inklayer, print sheet, print medium, or like printed image is generallydisposed at the back of the lens adjacent to or on the plane surface.The image layer can contain, for example, an interlaced image having atleast two alternate series of spaced image lines, each series of imagelines constituting a dissection or breakup of a master picture. The twoseries of image lines are so optically related with respect to the lenselements as to be alternately visible upon positional change of theviewer with respect to the lenses. When viewed from one position, thefirst series of image lines are visible so as to display the firstcomposite picture. When viewed from a second position, the second seriesof image lines are visible so as to display the second compositepicture.

The same lenticular lens system can also be used to produce athree-dimensional image effect. In forming such effects, the two imagesrespectively constitute a right eye view of an object and a left eyeview of the same object in normal visual parallax. The lenticular lensesare placed to lie along a line perpendicular to an imaginary line drawnthrough the two pupils of the eyes of the viewer. In this manner, theconvex lenses provide the desired optical effect to divert light raysfrom the image lines making up the right eye elements of the pictureinto the right eye of the viewer and, in the same way, the left eyeelements of the picture into left eye of the viewer, thereby creatingthe illusion of three-dimensional vision in the viewer's mind.

Lenticular optical systems have found numerous uses including toys,pins, and other types of articles and devices, such as for teachingsdevices, wherein questions appear in one view and the answers to thesequestions appear in the other view; medical devices for viewing changesin x-rays, specimens, photography, printing, and visual aid systems.

A popular application of lenticular image systems has been for use indecorative or informational displays on utility or fanciful articles,such as on containers, packaging, promotional articles, and likeapplications. One advantage of lenticular image systems when used indisplay applications is increased customer awareness of and demand forthe lenticular associated product. Another advantage of lenticular imagesystems when used in display applications is customer perception ofadded-value, for example, a utility article such as a beverage containerhaving lenticular imagery may develop collectable, artistic,sentimental, or like value. Still another advantage of lenticular imagesystems in display applications is the ability to provide greater imagedensity or multiple-image content per unit area compared to conventionalor non-lenticular image displays.

A competitive disadvantage of conventional products having a lenticulardisplay is the need for an underlying support structure, retentionstructure, or both structures, and the accompanying cost and complexityof the product's manufacture, for example, an injection molded articlebearing a lenticular display.

Thus, it is desirable to have lenticular display articles that canovercome the need for underlying structure, and economical methods ofmaking the articles or devices comprising the lenticular displays.

SUMMARY

In general terms, the disclosure relates to lenticular display articles,and methods of making the articles.

One possible aspect of the disclosure is an article having a lenticulardisplay element wherein the lenticular display element is additionally astructural element of the article.

Another possible aspect of the disclosure is an article having alenticular display element wherein the lenticular display element isstructurally self-supporting.

Another possible aspect of the disclosure is an article having alenticular display element wherein the lenticular display elementreplaces or is a substitute for a conventional structural element of thearticle.

Still another possible aspect of the disclosure is an article having alenticular display element wherein the lenticular display elementeliminates the need for one or more support or retention structuralelements compared to a conventional article having a lenticular displayelement mounted thereon.

Another possible aspect of the disclosure is a container comprising: afrustoconical lenticular sidewall which defines a cavity having a firstor top end, and a second or bottom end, the sidewall having a seam; anda base attached to the bottom end of the sidewall.

Another possible aspect of the disclosure is an baseless articlecomprising: a frustoconical lenticular sidewall which defines a cavityhaving a top end, and a bottom end, the sidewall having a first seam,and a second seam at the bottom end of the sidewall.

Another possible aspect of the disclosure is a method of making anarticle having a lenticular display element wherein the lenticulardisplay element is additionally a structural element of the article.

Still another possible aspect of the disclosure is a method of makingthe above-mentioned container comprising: forming the frustoconicallenticular sidewall from a lenticular sidewall sheet, the sidewall sheetcomprising: a lenticular lens sheet having a first surface havingoptical ridges and grooves and a second surface opposite the firstsurface; an image layer on the second surface; and an optional backinglayer over the image layer; and affixing the base to the bottom end ofthe frustoconical lenticular sidewall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary container article,in embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of exemplary steps and optional steps in a methodof making the container article of FIG. 1, in embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described indetail with reference to drawings, if any. Reference to variousembodiments does not limit the scope of the disclosure, which is limitedonly by the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, anyexamples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limitingand merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for theclaimed invention.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods andmaterials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also beused in the practice or testing of the present disclosure, the preferredmethods and materials are now described. Methods recited herein may becarried out in any order that is logically possible, in addition to aparticular order disclosed.

All publications mentioned herein are incorporated herein by referenceto disclose and describe the methods and materials in connection withwhich the publications are cited. The publications discussed herein areprovided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of thepresent application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admissionthat the present disclosure is not entitled to antedate such publicationby virtue of prior invention. Further, the dates of publication providedmay be different from the actual publication dates which may need to beindependently confirmed.

The practice of the present disclosure will employ, unless otherwiseindicated, conventional techniques of, for example, polymer chemistry,material science, materials processing technology, imaging science,printing technology, and packaging technology, which are within theskill of the art. Such techniques are explained fully in the literature.

The following definitions are provided for specific terms that are usedin the following written description.

DEFINITIONS

The following terms are intended to have the following general meaningsas they are used herein.

“Frustoconical” refers to any suitable container shape resulting fromforming the lenticular lens sheet into a sidewall. In embodiments of thepresent disclosure, the lenticular lens sheet can be formed into, forexample, a cylinder, a tapered cylinder, a cone or conic sectionthereof, a non-round tapered wall, a non-round straight wall, a taperedor non-tapered square, a tapered or non-tapered rectangle, and likeshapes, or combinations thereof.

“Backing layer” or “barrier layer” are synonyms and refer to, forexample, a coating, a film, a laminate, an extrusion coating, a fixableliquid coating such as curable or polymerizable compositions, and likecovers for the image layer, or combinations thereof. The backing layeror barrier layer can: protect the image layer from distortion ordegradation during manufacture; provide an opaque background for theimage layer to aid in obtaining or controlling high fidelity color andgraphic properties of the lenticular displayed image; and segregate orprevent any interaction or mixing between the image layer components andthe container contents in storage or use. In embodiments, where theimage layer is comprised of, for example, a polymerizable or radiationcurable ink or like materials, a separate backing layer or barrier layermay be redundant and unnecessary. Thus, depending upon the intended useor application of the container, the container can be manufactured with,for example, curable inks that provide both graphic or image elements inaddition to barrier layer elements, and without the need for a separatebacking or barrier layer. The curable inks can be selected andformulated to provide image elements and barrier layer elements that areopaque, translucent, transparent, or combinations thereof. “Backinglayer” or “barrier layer” can also refer to a “core layer,” for example,in the case of a double-sided lenticular sidewall or lens sheet.

“Second surface side” such as in the phrase “an image layer on thesecond surface side of the lenticular lens sheet” refers the side wherethe image layer is located. The image layer can be, but need not be,printed on the lenticular lens sheet. The image layer can be, forexample, printed on or provided to the backing layer or barrier layer ifpresent, and subsequently combined with the lenticular lens sheet toform the lenticular sidewall sheet. Thus, for example, the image layercan be printed on the lenticular lens sheet, the backing layer, or both.In embodiments, an optional binder layer, adhesive layer, primer layer,and like layers, can be interposed between any of the lenticular lenssheet, image layer, or backing layer.

The singular forms “a”, “and”, and “the” include plural referents unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to“a seam” can include a plurality of such seams and reference to “a seam”can include reference to one or more seams and equivalents thereof knownto those skilled in the art.

“About” modifying, for example, the quantity of an ingredient in acomposition, concentrations, volumes, process temperatures, pressures,process times, dwell times, recoveries or yields, flow rates, and likevalues, and ranges thereof, employed in describing the embodiments ofthe disclosure, refers to variation in the numerical quantity that canoccur, for example, through typical measuring and handling procedures;through inadvertent error in these procedures; through differences inthe ingredients or materials used to carry out the methods; and likeproximate considerations. The term “about” also encompasses amounts thatdiffer, for example, due to aging of a formulation with a particularinitial concentration or mixture, amounts that differ due to mixing orprocessing a formulation with a particular initial concentration ormixture, dimensions such as thickness that may differ due to the effectof temperature on materials, and like considerations. Whether modifiedby the term “about” the claims appended hereto include equivalents tothese quantities.

Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that eachintervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lowerlimit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in thatstated range is encompassed within the disclosure. The upper and lowerlimits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in thesmaller ranges is also encompassed within the disclosure, subject to anyspecifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated rangeincludes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either both ofthose included limits are also included in the disclosure.

It has been discovered that lenticular display elements can be directlyfashioned into articles or devices. The resulting articles or deviceshaving a structural lenticular display element have unexpectedly robuststructural quality and aesthetic characteristics, in addition to reducedweight and cost of manufacture. The resulting articles or devices havinga structural lenticular display element, if desired, can be madecontinuously, in high volume, at high speeds, and without the need formore complex or costly manufacturing processes or machinery, such asinjection molding equipment and materials.

Referring to the Figures, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of anexemplary container article. FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of acontainer article 100, such as a beverage cup. The container article 100can serve as a package for storing, dispensing, consuming, or otherwiseusing solid or liquid product contents, such as yogurt, popcorn, candy,beverages, soil and seed mixtures, paint, nails, and like substances andapplications.

In embodiments, the container 100 can comprise, for example, afrustoconical lenticular sidewall 110, which defines an internal cavityhaving a top end, and a bottom end. The formed lenticular sidewall canhave a seam 115, or similar manner of connection or construction, suchas an overlap- or lap-type seam of opposite edges of a pre-formedlenticular image member rolled sheet (e.g., on a mandrel or likemethods). In embodiments, the seam can preferably be a single overlap ofopposite ends of the sidewall and the seam can preferably be a heatseal. In embodiments, the lenticular sidewall of the containerpreferably has a single overlapping heat-sealed seam, such as a melt ofa portion of the overlapping or abutting sidewall portions. Inembodiments, the seam is preferably free of an additional adhesive. Inembodiments, the lenticular sidewall of the container preferably has asingle seam and preferably has a single wall construction, that is, alenticular sidewall that can provide a unitary or one-piece wallstructure and can be free of second underlying support structure such asa second or adjacent sidewall. A container of the present disclosurehaving a lenticular sidewall having the above-mentioned unitary orone-piece wall structure can be advantaged in embodiments, by forexample, higher speed of manufacture, fewer materials, fewer steps,lower defect and reject rates, lower unit-cost, and like considerations.In embodiments, the thickness of a one-piece lenticular sidewall can be,for example, from about 1 to about 50 mils, from about 2 to about 25mils, from about 5 to about 20 mils, and from about 8 to about 18 mils.

The cavity of the container 100 can be closed or sealed at one end with,for example, a base 120 attached to the bottom end of the sidewall. Thebase can be attached internally or externally to the sidewall by, forexample, a heat seal between the sidewall and a base member such as apre-cut plastic sheet, or like methods. The base preferably can berecessed (as shown) within the cavity, that is, the base is recessedwithin a portion of the interior of the cavity and seals the bottom endof the cavity to provide, for example, superior strength and aesthetics.The lenticular sidewall 115 can optionally have a foldable seam region117 that can be folded, wrapped, or similarly deformed within (i.e.,internally, as shown) or about (i.e., externally, not shown) the cavityand adapted to receive the base 120. The foldable seam, whether withinor about the cavity can also provide, for example, superior strength andaesthetics.

The shape and size of the container will depend, for example, on theintended use, materials of construction, desired properties, servicelife, biodegradability, and like considerations. The shape of thecontainer can be, for example, a cylinder, a tapered cylinder, anon-round tapered cylinder, a non-round straight wall, and like shapes,or combinations thereof. Other container shapes and productconfigurations are within the scope of the present disclosure, forexample, a “toothpaste-tube” like container having an open end, with orwithout a closure or lid for retaining or dispensing the containercontents, and a baseless opposite end, for example, a pinched-end sealwhich closes or seals the bottom end. Thus, in embodiments, the presentdisclosure provides an article comprising: a frustoconical lenticularsidewall which defines a cavity having a top end, and a bottom end, thesidewall having a first seam, and a second seam at the bottom end of thesidewall. The frustoconical lenticular sidewall can be, for example, alenticular lens sheet having a first surface having optical ridges andgrooves and a second surface opposite the first surface; an image layeron the second surface; and an optional separate backing layer over theimage layer. The image layer can be, for example, a printed interlacedimage. The lenticular lens sheet preferably has the lens bearing firstsurface on the exterior of the article or container to provide thegreatest visibility of image elements to the consumer or user.

The backing layer can be constructed of any suitable material, such as acompatible plastic, which plastic can be the same or different from theplastic materials used to make the lenticular lens sheet or base. Inembodiments, the backing or barrier layer can be selected to providestructural reinforcement or a structural support to the sidewall. Inpreferred embodiments, the backing or barrier layer can be selected toprovide properties other than, or independent of, substantial structuralreinforcement or structural support layer to the sidewall, for example,to provide thermal insulation or conduction properties, or thermalprotective properties. Thermal insulation or thermal protectiveproperties can include for example: retaining or maintaining thetemperature of container contents such as in beverage cups or foodstuffcontainers (i.e., hot or cold); protecting the image or ink layer or thesidewall from distortion caused by temperature extremes or excursionsduring manufacture, transport, or use; protecting a user or handler ofthe container from temperature content extremes during use, and likeprotective properties. In embodiments, the thickness of a backing orbarrier layer if present can be, for example, from about 0.01 to about50 mils, from about 0.01 to about 25 mils, from about 0.1 to about 10mils, and from about 0.2 to about 5 mils, where mil is equal to 1/1000inch.

In embodiments, a container of the present disclosure can optionallyinclude an outwardly (i.e., away from the cavity) curled rim 125 orrolled lip on the top end of the sidewall cavity. The container can alsooptionally include a closure, such as a removable lid 130, over the topend of the cavity, for example, engaging the top-end edge of thelenticular sidewall or the rolled lip. The removable lid 130 canoptionally include or be fashioned from a lenticular display element. Inembodiments, a container of the present disclosure is preferablyself-supporting with or without a base attached, and additionally oralternatively, a container of the present disclosure is preferablyself-supporting with or without an optional backing layer or base layer.In embodiments, a container of the present disclosure can be nested forcompact stacking, storage, shipping, or like considerations. Inembodiments, a container of the present disclosure, where a closure orlid is included can be, for example, stacked for storage, shipping, ordisplay purposes. In embodiments, the base, the optional closure, theoptional lid, can be made of metal or resin coated metals, such astinplate, i.e., a thin sheet iron or steel coated with tin, stampedaluminum, and like metal formulations. Attachment of a metal base, metalclosure, or metal lid, to the sidewall can be accomplished by way of anysuitable method such as crimping, gluing, and like fastening methods.

In embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of making anarticle or device having a lenticular display element, such as theabovementioned container by, for example:

-   -   forming the frustoconical lenticular sidewall from a lenticular        sidewall sheet, the sidewall sheet can include, for example:        -   a lenticular lens sheet having a first surface having            optical ridges and grooves and a second surface opposite the            first surface;        -   an image layer on the second surface; and        -   a backing layer over the image layer;        -   and    -   affixing the base to the bottom end of the frustoconical        lenticular sidewall.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of exemplary steps and optional steps in a methodof making the abovementioned container article of FIG. 1, or likecontainer articles. The lenticular sidewall sheet, that is a “blank”including its graphic image content, can be prepared by methods known inthe art, such as disclosed in the above mentioned U.S. PatentPublications 20030219574 or 20040263885. See for example steps 200, 210,and 220. Additionally or alternatively, the lenticular sidewall sheetproducts are provided as commercially available or can be custommanufactured by vendors, such as Travel Tags/Xtreme Graphics, InverGrove Heights, Minn. Formation of the frustoconical lenticular sidewall230 can be accomplished by, for example, joining overlapping oppositeends of the lenticular sidewall sheet with a heat seal to form the seam.Similarly, affixing the base to the bottom end of the frustoconicallenticular sidewall 240 can be accomplished by, for example, a heat sealof the base to the sidewall. The joining of the sidewall, the affixingof the base, or both, can be accomplished manually or preferably byhigh-speed automated machinery. High-speed automatic joining andaffixing machinery is commercially available from, for example, thePaper Machinery Corporation, Milwaukee, Wisc., see www.papermc.com. Thejoining and affixing stages of the method of the present disclosure canbe accomplished by providing, for example, a pre-formed and pre-cutlenticular blank of appropriate dimensions and having the desiredlenticular graphics to, for example, a Paper Machinery Corporation ModelPMC 1300P or a PMC 1002P plastic container forming machine, see forexample, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,790,168, 6,652,435, 6,382,449, 5,752,907,2,942,530, and U.S. Patent Publication 20020111260. A closure structure,such as a lid or a tamper-resistant or tamper-evident top seal, or likestructures, can optionally be affixed 250 to the container, with orwithout an intermediate container fill step. In general, the high speedcup making machine takes blanks from a feeder, wraps the blanksindividually around a mandrel, then transfers the wrapped blank toanother station which blows hot air, from a top position and a bottomposition, on the two overlapping portions of the blank at approximately700° C. (1,300 degrees Fahrenheit). The machine then folds the blanksaround the mandrel and a pressure foot comes down and holds the two endsagainst each other for a very short time until the two surfaces arebonded to each other forming a heat-sealed seam. This type of machinecan be modified to use other methods of bonding such as an adhesive, orlike bonding methods if desired.

It should be recognized that the specific method and article embodimentsdiscussed above are by way of example, and various other embodiments areencompassed by the present disclosure. For instance, other methods forforming the frustoconical or alternatively shaped or sized lenticularsidewall component can be accomplished by, for example, joining with aheat seal, an adhesive, a sonic weld, or combinations thereof, ofoverlapping opposite edges of the lenticular sidewall sheet to form theseam, joining opposite puzzle cut edges of the lenticular sidewall sheetto form the seam, joining opposite puzzle cut edges with a heat seal, anadhesive, a sonic weld, and like methods, or combinations thereof. Inembodiments, the lenticular sidewall, prior to or after forming into asleeve or container, is preferably constructed free of an adhesive to,for example, reduce manufacture cost and complexity, and to eliminate orminimize possible contamination of the container contents from aproperly or improperly applied adhesive when the container is filled.Additionally, the lenticular lens pattern can be oriented horizontally,vertically, intermediate values between horizontal and vertical, orcombination thereof.

The curled rim or curled lip of the top end of the frustoconicallenticular sidewall can also optionally be accomplished manually, orpreferably automatically, concurrent with or subsequent to theabovementioned joining and affixing steps.

The method can be readily modified to provide a variety of shapes andsizes of product containers or articles having a lenticular sidewallstructure as disclosed and illustrated herein.

Thus, the method of making of the present disclosure can be used toprepare lenticular display articles or lenticular decorated articleswhere the lenticular piece is an integral and continuous structuralcomponent of at least one of the container's walls such as, beveragecups, ice cream cartons, gift or toy box packaging, and like articles.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to thespecific embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilledin the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may besubstituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of thedisclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation, material, composition of matter, process, processstep or steps, to the objective, spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure. All such modifications are intended to be within the scopeof the claims appended hereto.

EXAMPLES

The following examples serve to more fully describe the manner of usingthe above-described disclosure, as well as to set forth the best modescontemplated for carrying out various aspects of the disclosure. It isunderstood that these examples in no way serve to limit the true scopeof this disclosure, but rather are presented for illustrative purposes.The percentages, if any, used in the Examples are by weight per weight(w/w) or weight percentage of the recited component of the total weight.

Example 1

A pre-formed and pre-cut lenticular sidewall blank is prepared inaccordance with, for example, the abovementioned U.S. PatentPublications 20030219574 or 20040263885. The lenticular sheet can be,for example, clarified polyethylene, clarified polypropylene, and likegrades of polymers or resins, which resins or materials are preferablymore flexible or conformable when heated than when at room temperature.The image elements can be any desired markings including for example,text, graphic, and like markings, or combinations thereof. The optionalbacking layer over the image layer can be, for example, any suitablematerial that permits suitable forming into a suitable lenticularsidewall sleeve from the blank, suitable joining of a seam, and suitableaffixing of a base thereto. Suitable materials include, for example,natural or synthetic polymeric materials such as resin, plastic, paper,and like materials, or combinations thereof. The optional backing layer,when present, is preferably selected for it desired structural andfunctional properties, such as sufficient rigidity to provide a robustcontainer, sufficient flexibility to avoid pre-mature containerbreakage, sufficient impermeability to contain a particular content fora period of time without leaks or seepage, sufficient compatibility withthe image or ink layer, and like properties, or combinations thereof.

Example 2

A 45 minutes supply, for example, about 10,000 to 15,000 piece count, ofpre-formed and pre-cut lenticular sidewall blanks of Example 1, isprovided to a PMC Model Number 1300P or 1002P plastic container formingmachine. The machine is operated under the manufacturer's recommendedconditions or as dictated by the material properties of particularlenticular sidewall blanks and base components selected for assembly.The frustoconical lenticular sidewall, or an alternatively shaped orsized lenticular sidewall component, can be formed by, for example,joining opposite ends or edges of a lenticular sidewall blank with aheat seal. The base can also be attached or affixed to the resultinglenticular sidewall by, for example, joining with a heat seal. Theresulting containers are suitable for their intended use and asdisclosed and illustrated herein.

The entire disclosure for publications, patents, and patent documentsare incorporated herein by reference, as though individuallyincorporated by reference. The disclosure has been described withreference to various specific embodiments and techniques. Additionalaspects of the disclosure are additionally described and illustrated inthe Figure(s) provided, if any. However, it should be understood thatmany variations and modifications are possible while remaining withinthe spirit and scope of the disclosure.

1. A container comprising: a unitary sidewall consisting essentially ofa sidewall sheet including a plurality of lenses defined on at least aportion thereof, the sidewall sheet being joined to itself to form aseam and thereby defining a cavity having a top end and a bottom end,the sidewall sheet including— a lens sheet presenting a first surfaceincluding the plurality of lenses defined on at least a portion thereof,and a second surface opposite the first surface, an image layerpositioned proximate the second surface and viewable through the lenssheet; and a base attached at or near the bottom end of the cavity,wherein a portion of the sidewall at the bottom end of the cavity isfolded within the cavity, thereby defining a folded seam region.
 2. Thecontainer of claim 1, wherein the base is positioned within the cavityproximate the folded seam region, the base sealing the bottom end of thecavity.
 3. The container of claim 1, wherein the sidewall sheet furtherincludes a backing layer positioned over the image layer.
 4. Thecontainer of claim 3, wherein the image layer comprises an interlacedimage printed on the second surface of the lenticular lens sheet,printed on the backing layer, or combinations thereof.
 5. The containerof claim 1, wherein a portion of the sidewall at the top end of thecavity is rolled outwardly and at least partly back towards thesidewall, thereby defining a rolled lip.
 6. The container of claim 1,wherein the plurality of lenses comprises a plurality of lenticularlenses.
 7. The container of claim 1, wherein a shape of the containercomprises a cylinder, a tapered cylinder, a non-round tapered cylinder,or a non-round straight wall.
 8. The container of claim 1, wherein theseam comprises opposite ends of the sidewall sheet heat-sealed to oneanother.
 9. The container of claim 1, wherein the seam comprises anoverlap of opposite ends of the sidewall sheet to one another.
 10. Thecontainer of claim 1, wherein the lens sheet comprises polyethylene orpolypropylene.
 11. The container of claim 3, wherein the backing layercomprises a polymeric material.
 12. The container of claim 11, whereinthe lens sheet and the backing layer comprise the same material.
 13. Thecontainer of claim 3, wherein the sidewall further includes an adhesivelayer positioned between the image layer and the backing layer.
 14. Amethod of making a container, the method comprising: providing asidewall sheet, the sidewall sheet including— a lens sheet having afirst surface including a plurality of optical lenses defined on atleast a portion thereof, and a second surface opposite the firstsurface, and an image layer proximate the second surface of the lenssheet and viewable through the lens sheet; forming a free-standingsidewall from the sidewall sheet by affixing opposite ends of thesidewall sheet to one another to form a seam, thereby defining a cavityhaving a top end and a bottom end; folding a bottom end of the sidewallinwardly to form a folded seam region; and affixing a base to the bottomend of the sidewall above the folded seam region.
 15. The method ofclaim 14, further comprising: rolling a top end of the sidewall to forma rolled lip integral with the sidewall, wherein the rolled lip extendsoutwardly from the cavity and at least partly back towards the sidewall.16. The method of claim 14, wherein the image layer is free fromdistortion after the seam has been formed.
 17. The method of claim 14,wherein forming the seam comprises joining overlapping opposite ends ofthe sidewall sheet with a heat seal to form the seam.
 18. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the method is accomplished on a high-speed cup makingmachine.
 19. The method of claim 14, wherein the sidewall sheet furtherincludes a backing layer covering the image layer.
 20. The method ofclaim 19, wherein the lens sheet and the backing layer comprise the samematerial.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the lens sheet and thebacking layer comprise polypropylene or polyethylene.
 22. The method ofclaim 19, wherein the sidewall sheet further includes an adhesivebetween the image layer and the backing layer.